OT: You don’t see this everyday...
#16
Yeah late merge definitely upsets some people. Life is too short for BS like road rage.
#17
So I'm supposed to merge late?
Yes! As you see the “lane closed ahead” sign and traffic backing up, stay in your current lane up to the point of merge. Then take turns with other drivers to safely and smoothly ease into the remaining lane.
Benefits
Reduces differences in speeds between two lanes
Reduces the overall length of traffic backup by as much as 40 percent
Reduces congestion on freeway interchanges
Source:https://www.dot.state.mn.us/zippermerge/
Yes! As you see the “lane closed ahead” sign and traffic backing up, stay in your current lane up to the point of merge. Then take turns with other drivers to safely and smoothly ease into the remaining lane.
Benefits
Reduces differences in speeds between two lanes
Reduces the overall length of traffic backup by as much as 40 percent
Reduces congestion on freeway interchanges
Source:https://www.dot.state.mn.us/zippermerge/
The problem is, most people are too stupid to realize this and won't let others merge. THEY are the problem children, not those who follow the correct procedure. Of course, if we got all the stupid people off the roads, traffic wouldn't be an issue anywhere!
#18
I would buy a lottery ticket if I ever saw this happen in California, where there is apparently a "no prisoners, no mercy" when driving I am learning
I am happy that the city and county of Honolulu does this for traffic, but it has never been in place for accidents in my experience
#19
I would buy a lottery ticket if I ever saw this happen in California, where there is apparently a "no prisoners, no mercy" when driving I am learning
I am happy that the city and county of Honolulu does this for traffic, but it has never been in place for accidents in my experience
I am happy that the city and county of Honolulu does this for traffic, but it has never been in place for accidents in my experience
#20
This is absolutely the best and fastest way and makes the most sense.
The problem is, most people are too stupid to realize this and won't let others merge. THEY are the problem children, not those who follow the correct procedure. Of course, if we got all the stupid people off the roads, traffic wouldn't be an issue anywhere!
The problem is, most people are too stupid to realize this and won't let others merge. THEY are the problem children, not those who follow the correct procedure. Of course, if we got all the stupid people off the roads, traffic wouldn't be an issue anywhere!
I just think the fact that this can even be pulled off by this many drivers is in itself sort of amazing.
#21
If you drive a van or SUV, you can merge in late without too many issues, especially if you thank the person who you cut in on, but with a 911 or anything else seen as a more expensive or a sporty car, you will get some evil stares and people aggressively blocking you - especially F-150s for example.........in Atlanta......we seem to merge in one after the other alternating cars in tight quarters on non-highways and on highways everyone generally moves to the left.........after living in NYC, DC area, Chicago and LA........I could not believe it, but wrote it off to Southern Hospitality...........truthfully.........for me depending on my schedule, I will stay left and not Zipper merge on highways, especially in my Porsches..........on surface roads anything generally goes for me based on other driver's antics, but I use the unwritten "alternating car merge rule" in those non-highway situations.........
#22
If you drive a van or SUV, you can merge in late without too many issues, especially if you thank the person who you cut in on, but with a 911 or anything else seen as a more expensive or a sporty car, you will get some evil stares and people aggressively blocking you - especially F-150s for example.........in Atlanta......we seem to merge in one after the other alternating cars in tight quarters on non-highways and on highways everyone generally moves to the left.........after living in NYC, DC area, Chicago and LA........I could not believe it, but wrote it off to Southern Hospitality...........truthfully.........for me depending on my schedule, I will stay left and not Zipper merge on highways, especially in my Porsches..........on surface roads anything generally goes for me based on other driver's antics, but I use the unwritten "alternating car merge rule" in those non-highway situations.........
When driving my GT3 I mostly see people backing off to let me in, as opposed to trying to block me. Not everyone, but that seems to be the norm. I would totally feel like a douche if I tried to cut the line in my GT3. When driving on roads where passing is hard more often than not people pull over to let me pass. Not always (Prius drivers!), but more than not, as long as I do not tailgate them.
#24
The traffic in Colorado looks like that even when the right lane isn't blocked. I've never seen so many slow left lane drivers before. Especially between Colorado Springs and Denver.
Otherwise Colorado drivers are pretty good and respectful.
Otherwise Colorado drivers are pretty good and respectful.
#25
I swear those signs that say "Keep Right Except to Pass" are in Greek.
#26
Are you sure you don’t have a Prius up in front of that line of cars? https://m.facebook.com/LeftLanePrius/
#27
#28
Using all lanes until you have to merge is encouraged by the traffic authorities because it _reduces_ road rage, in addition to being more efficient and safer for all.
In the case above, the faux politeness forced the first responders to drive through a backup twice as long to get to the scene, when an unobstructed shoulders exists. (Yes, the lane was open, but they cannot come blasting down it assuming no one might veer out and presumably therefore had to travel slower for twice the distance).
If the above behavior happens in a denser traffic area, there is a good chance the backup needlessly extends across interchanges, possibly holding up other roads that may otherwise had been clear sailing for first responders to that scene, or another scene.
The CO DOT also encourages using all available lanes and zipper merging.
More from the MN DOT:
Zipper merging, however, benefits individual drivers as well as the public at large. Research shows that these dangers decrease when motorists use both lanes until reaching the defined merge area and then alternate in “zipper” fashion into the open lane.
I live in the Northeast Quadrant, so the early merge is not an issue here.
In the case above, the faux politeness forced the first responders to drive through a backup twice as long to get to the scene, when an unobstructed shoulders exists. (Yes, the lane was open, but they cannot come blasting down it assuming no one might veer out and presumably therefore had to travel slower for twice the distance).
If the above behavior happens in a denser traffic area, there is a good chance the backup needlessly extends across interchanges, possibly holding up other roads that may otherwise had been clear sailing for first responders to that scene, or another scene.
The CO DOT also encourages using all available lanes and zipper merging.
More from the MN DOT:
Zipper merge vs. early merge
When most drivers see the first “lane closed ahead” sign in a work zone, they slow too quickly and move to the lane that will continue through the construction area. This driving behavior can lead to unexpected and dangerous lane switching, serious crashes and road rage.Zipper merging, however, benefits individual drivers as well as the public at large. Research shows that these dangers decrease when motorists use both lanes until reaching the defined merge area and then alternate in “zipper” fashion into the open lane.
I live in the Northeast Quadrant, so the early merge is not an issue here.
#29
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From: The Woodlands, TX.
Ugh, I know how you feel, we lived in Tennessee where the late merge was considered very rude! Traffic would back up for miles like your picture all the time.
NPR had an article about the Zipper merge- it's counter intuitive but the Zipper merger (waiting to merge over until the last minute) helps traffic flow more freely and benefits everyone, including those in the lane that people you are merging into. Basically it increases the capacity of the highway.
I take this information as a 'hall pass' to do the Zipper merge as often as possible. I know it seems anti-social and Tennessee 'rude', but that is just for the unenlightened and I do it now all the time, LOL.
NPR had an article about the Zipper merge- it's counter intuitive but the Zipper merger (waiting to merge over until the last minute) helps traffic flow more freely and benefits everyone, including those in the lane that people you are merging into. Basically it increases the capacity of the highway.
I take this information as a 'hall pass' to do the Zipper merge as often as possible. I know it seems anti-social and Tennessee 'rude', but that is just for the unenlightened and I do it now all the time, LOL.
In PA, where summer roadwork on I-80 would mean 1 of two lanes closed for literally 10 mile stretches, all summer, using both lanes was seen as rude. I saw semis split the dividing line to discourage passing on the lane to be shut down. Literally a mile or more of open roadway with nothing in it. And god forbid you try to use that lane, I saw some pretty nasty behavior of cars pulling out to block people, running them off the shoulder and almost down an embankment once. Never saw a gun pulled although I am surprised I didn’t. My wife and I started calling those people “Left Lane Vigilantes” for taking the law into their own hands.
SMDH.
#30
Ok, I live in NJ. Someone help me here. What is this crazy talk about “manners “ and “hospitality”...lol
Fugget a bout it. Just look for that empty right lane here. It won’t be there. Lol
Fugget a bout it. Just look for that empty right lane here. It won’t be there. Lol